Material loading device



Sept. 12, 1944. F. JOHNSQN MATERIAL LOADING DEVICE Filed June 25. 1943 3 SheetsfSheet 1 Sept. l2, 1944. F. JoHNsoN MATERIAL LOADING DEVICE Filed .June` 25, 194s v .s sheets-sheet 2 aww-d. ffii; JM-@m Sept. 12u, 19444- F. JoHNsoN MATERIAL LOADING DEVICE Filed June 25, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Sept. l2, 1944 i 2,357,954ll UNITED STATES PATENT CFFICE MATERIAL LOADING DEVICE Fritz Johnson, Idaho Falls, Idaho Application June 25, 1943, serial No. 492,289

s clame (cnam-14o) This invention relates to material loading devices and more particularly to a device for loading manure or other material.

An object-of this invention is to provide a load ing device wherein the scoop or bucket is maintained in horizontal position while being elevated from a lower filling position to an upper discharging position.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device of this kind which can be readily mounted as an attachment on a tractor.

A further object of this invention is to provide in a device of this kind an improved latching means for holding the loaded scoop While the latter is being elevated and releasing the same for discharge of the contents.

A`further object of this invention is to provide, in a device of this kind, an improved pivotal mounting for the scoop which includes spring means for automatically returning the scoop to a horizontal position when the contents have been discharged and automatically latching the scoop in the horizontal position.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved means for maintaining the horizontal position of the scoop while the latter is being elevated or lowered.

With the foregoing objects in view and others which may hereinafter more fully appear the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be more specifically described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein are shown embodiments of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of ther invention as claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a detail side elevation of a material loading attachment constructed according to an ignates generally a tractor which includes a frame II and a power take-ofi' I2 at the rear of the frame I I. A scoop Il is swingably mounted on the forward end of the tractor III being swingably or pivotally carried by a pair of elongated levers I5. The levers I5 are, in the present instance, formed of channel bars and are dise posed one on each side of the frame II and pivotally mounted at their rear ends on pivot members I6 which are carried by a depending plate I1 vwhich is fixed to the frame II between the ends of the latter. The scoop Il comprises a plurality of spaced apart parallel L-shaped bars I8 which are round in transverse section and which are connected together on one side thereof by a connecting bar I9 which may be welded or otherwise firmly secured to the lower sides of the bars I8. The bars I8 have vertical rear sides 20 which constitute the back wall of the scoop and the outer ends of the verticall sides 20 are connected together by means of an angle bar 2I which may be welded or otherwise rmly secured to the upper ends of the vertical sides 20. A pair of side angularly disposed bracing plates 22 are secured to the bottom sides of the L-shaped bars I8, and extend upwardly and rearwardly and are secured as by welding or the like to the outermost of the vertical rear sides 20 and are also secured as by welding or the like to the angle bar embodiment of this invention, mounted on a l The scoop I4 is pivotally supported on the forward ends of the levers I5 by means of a pair'of stub shafts 23 which extend through the forward ends of the levers I5 and also extend through bushings 24 which are secured to the outer sides of the side plates or bracing members 22.

In order to provide a means whereby the levers I5 with the scoop I4 may be raised from a loading position to an upper discharging position I have provided a winding drum 25 which is operatively connected with the power take-od I2. A

pair of sheaves 26 are secured to a transversely extending bar 21 which is secured between the levers I5 adjacent the forward ends thereof and rearwardly of the scoop I4. j

The upright frame structure 28 is fxedly sev cured to the forward end of the tractor frame II, and comprises a pair of upright parallel bars 29 which are connected together adjacent the lower ends thereof by means of a connecting bar 30. A pair of bracing plates 3| are secured between the upper side of the connecting bar 30 and the inner sides of the uprights 29.

A pair of elongated bars 32 are secured at their upper ends, as at 33, to the uprights 28 and are `the bar n.

securedasat I4totheoutersideofthetractor frame II, rearwardly of the forward end of the latter. is adapted to be secured in any suitable manner to the forward end of the tractor frame II. The

:upper transverse connecting bar 35 is secured between the upper ends of the uprights 2l and a pair of sheaves 35 are secured in upstanding relation to the upper connecting bar 35.

A pair of ycables 31 have one end thereof secured, as at 4I. to the upper connecting bar 35 of the frame 2l, and are then ytrained through the sheaves 25 and the sheaves II and then extended downwardly and pass through a lower pair of sheaves I! which are fixed to the opposite sides of the frame II rearwardly of the upright frame 24. The cables 31 are then extended rearwardly beneath the frame II and wound about the winding drum 25.

In order to provide a means whereby the scoop I4 may be releasably held in substantial horizontal position when in either a lower or an elevated position, I have provided a holding' means, generally designated as 40. The holding means 40 comprises a pair of elongated bars 4| and 42 which are disposed in face-abutting relation and the bar 42, at its rear end, is formed with a fork 43. An upright bar 44 isl pivotally mounted on The lower transverse connecting bar 3lably held in a 'latched position by means of a spring-pressed bar 50. The bar Il is threaded through an outstanding lug 51 carried by the forward portion of the bar 4|, and the bar or rod il is slidable through a pair of guide lugs 43 carried by the bar 42. A stop pin 53 islextended through the rear portion of the rod 55 to thereby limit the forward sliding movement of `the rod 55 through the Guides 5I.

A spring is disposed about the rod 65, bearing at its rear end against the foremost one of the pair of guide lugs 4l and also bearing against a washer or plate 1| carried by the rod 54. I'he rod 55 is locked in its adjusted position with respect to the lug 51 by means of a pair of lock nuts 12.

The bucket I4 is constantly urged to a disa pivot 45, carried by an upstanding lug which is fixed to the upper side of a lever I5 adjacent the rear end of the latter. There are two of these latohing means 4|), one on each side `of the frame |I, and the fork 43 is formed with a plurality of openings 41 through a selected one of which a pivot pin 48 is adapted to engage. The pin 48 also engages through a selected one of a plurality'of openings 49 which are formed in the upright bar 44. The bar 44 is held in substantially upright position in any position of the levers I5 by means of an arcuate holding bar 50. The bar 50 is pivotally secured as at 5I to the upright bar 44 and is also pivotally secured as at 52 tothe frame The bar 4| comprises an endwise vmovable bar I outer side of each side plate 22, and has the rearwardly extending side thereof disposed between the arms of the fork 55 and pivotally secured by means of a bolt or pivot member 5l.

The sliding bar 4| is releasably latched with respect to the bar 42 by means of a U-shaped keeper 50 which is pivotallyrmounted as at 5I on a downwardly extending lug 52 carried by the rear portion of the bar 4|. The U-shaped keeper III extends over the two bars 4 I and 42 and is adapted to releasably engage a triangularly shaped lug 53 which is fixed to the upper side of together by means of a connectingbar 54 and the handle 55 is secured to the central portion of the connecting bar B4. 'I'he connecting bar 44 is of U-shaped construction and is disposed at an obtuse angie to the keepers 50 so as to be overbal'anced toward the rear in order that the two keepers will gravitatingly swing downwardly to a locking position. The two keepers are vyield- The two keepers SII are connectedcharging or dumping position by means of a pair of springs 13 which are mounted on a pair of rods`14 carried by the side members 22. The rods 14 extend rearwardly of the bucket I4, being secured at their forward ends in outstanding lugs 15 which are held by the said members 22. vA washer 1-5 is fixed in longitudinally adjusted p0- sition on the rod 14 by means of a pin or stop member 11. The rear end of the spring 13 is adapted to engage an upstanding arcuate plate 13 which is carried by a base 19 fixed to the upper side of the connecting bar 21. The plate 15 has the convex side thereof foremost and is formed with an opening through which the rod 14 is adapted to slidingly and rockably engage. The

springs 13, upon release of thev latching members or keepers 30, are adapted to rock the bucket I4 forwardly and downwardly toits discharging position. When the bucket |4rocks downwardly the two rods 14 are moved forwardly and a second pair of springs 8| are mounted on the rods 14 rearwardly of the plates 1B. The springs 8|, at their forward ends, bear against washers 82 which are slidingly mountedon the rods 14. The rear ends of the springs 8| bear against 'rear washers I3 which are secured against rearward movement by stop pins 84. The two springs 8| are adapted to be compressed when the bucket I4, in its filled condition, is rocked forwardly and downwardly and the springs 8| are of such strength that when the bucket I4 is emptied the springs 5I will yieldingly swing the bucket I4 upwardly to a substantially horizontal position at which time the keepers 50 will drop behind the locking lugs 63 carried by the bars 42.

In the use and operation of this loading attachment the frame 33 is secured to the frame II of the tractor, and the levers I5 are pivotally secured to the shaft or pivot member I6. The cables 31 are wound about the drum 25 which is connected to the power take-oi! I 2 and when the scoop or bucket I4 is to be loaded it is lowered to the dotted line position shown in Figure 1.

The tractor I0 is then moved forwardly and when the scoop or bucket I4 is filled, the drum 25 is rotated to raise the levers I5 to the full line position shownin Figure 1. The tractor In may then be moved forwardly to the desired location and upon forward and upward rocking of the handle 55 and the U-shaped connector 64, the

two keepers 50 will be released thereby permitting the keepers I4, with the sliding bar 4|, to move forwardly under the tension of the springs 13. The springs 1I will rock the scoop or bucket I4 downwardlyto a discharging position and when the scoop has been emptied the springs 3 I, which at this time are under tension, will rock the bucket rearwardly and upwardly to dispose the bottom thereof in a horizontal position. When the bucket I4 rocks upwardly and rearwardly to a horizontal position the keepers 60 will slide over the upper obtuse sides of the locking lugs 62, and the keepers 60 will then gravitatingly drop down against the rear ends of the locking lugs 62. When the sliding bar 4I is in its rearmost position the spring I will be under tension so that the two keepers B0 will be yieldingly held in their locked position.

The scoop I4 is preferably so mounted as to be overbalanced to the rear when it is empty. When the filled scoop I4 is to be discharged the keepers 60 will be released, and at this time springs T3 will assist in rocking the scoop I4 forwardly and downwardly past the center of gravity to a discharged position. When the scoop I4 is in discharging position springs 8| will be under tension and as soon as the scoop I4 has emptied, springs BI will rock the scoop upwardly and rearwardly past the center of gravity. During the latter rocking of the empty scoop I4, and at the time the keepers 60 are riding over the lugs 62 springs I3 will cushion the movement of the scoop, While springs I0 will also cushion the sliding movement of bar 4I. The cushioning of the movement of the scoop is desired for the purpose of retarding its movement because the scoop is overbalancei a substantial amount toward the rear, so that the cushioning spring will relieve the structure of excessive jars while at the same time assisting in discharging the scoop.

I claim: i

1. A loading attachment for a tractor comprising a scoop, levers swingably mounting said scoop on the frame of the tractor, releasable latching means carried by said levers and connected with said scoop and the tractor frame for maintaining said scoop in a horizontal position, means for raising or lowering said levers, said latching means including means under tension when said scoop is in a horizontal position constantly urging said scoop to a discharging position, said latter means upon release of said latching means automatically swinging said scoop to discharging position, and means operable upon swinging of said scoop to discharging position for automatically returning the scoop to latched position.

2. A loading attachment for a tractor comprising a scoop, levers swingably mounting said scoop on the frame of the tractor, releasable latching means carried by said levers and connected wit said scoop and the tractor frame for maintaining said scoop in a horizontal position, and means for raising or lowering said levers, said latching means including spring means constantly urging said scoop to a discharging position, and a second spring means tensionable when said scoop is moved to a discharging position by said first spring means for automatically returning said scoop to a horizontal latched position when said scoop is empty.

3. A loading attachment for a tractor comprising a pair of scoop supporting levers,l means pivotally mounting the rear ends of said levers on the tractor frame, a scoop between the forward ends of said levers, releasable means carried by said levers connected to said scoop and the tractor frame for holding said scoop horizontal, and means for raising or lowering said levers, said releasable means including pairs of elongated bars, means slidably connecting the bars of each pair to said scoop, a pair o! upright bars pivotbar of each pair of elongated bars engageable with said locking lug for releasably holding said one bar against endwise movement relative to said other bar.

4. A loading attachment for a tractor comprising a pair of scoop supporting levers, means pivotally mounting the rear ends of said levers on the tractor frame, a scoop between the forward ends of said levers, releasable means carried by said levers connected to said scoop and the tractor frame for holding said scoop horizontal, and means for raising and lowering said levers, said releasable means including pairs of elongated bars, means slidably connecting the bars of each pair to said scoop, a pair of upright bars pivotally carried by said levers adjacent the rear ends of the latter, means pivotally connecting the upper portion of each upright bar to the other of said -pair of elongated bars, means connected to said upright bars and to the tractor frame for holding said upright bars substantially vertical in any position of said levers, a locking lug carried by said other bar of each pair of elongated bars, and a pivoted keeper carried by said one bar of each pair of elongated bars engageable With said locking lug for releasably holding said one bar against endwise movement relative to said other bar, and tensionable means for holding said keeper in lug-engaging position.

5. A loading attachment for a tractor comprising an upright frame, means securing said frame to the frame of the tractor, a pair of elongated levers, means pivotally securing the rear ends of said levers to the tractor frame, a scoop pivotally carried by the forward ends of said levers, a pair of elongated latched bars for each lever, means pivotally securing one bar to said scoop, an upright bar pivotally carried by each lever, means secured to the tractor frame for holding said upright bar vertical in any position of said levers, means securing the other bar of each pair to said upright bar, means slidably securing said elongated bars together, correlated means for releasably latching said elongated bars together, and means for raising or lowering said levers, said elongated bars normally maintaining said scoop horizontal in any position of said levers, spring means tensioned when said scoop is in a horizontal position constantly urging the scoop to discharging position, and a second spring means tensioned upon swinging of the scoop to discharged position for returning the scoop to horizontal position.

6. A loading attachment for a tractor including a scoop adapted to be held in horizontal position while being elevated from the lower filling position to an upper discharging position, a latching means for holding the loaded scoop, and releasing means for the discharge ofthe contents of said scoop, a pivotal mounting for the scoop including spring means for automatically returning the scoop to a horizontal position when the contents have been dumped, and automatically latching the scoop inv horizontal position.

FRITZ JOHNSON. 

